Acting Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco joined Attorney General John J. Farmer, Jr. and Colonel Carson J. Dunbar, Jr., Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police to break ground for a high-tech State Police complex under construction in Hamilton Township, Mercer County.

"This new facility will be designed to provide the State Police with the high-tech tools and communications services they need to continue to serve and protect. That's good for all New Jerseyans," said the Acting Governor.

"I am proud of our commitment to keep New Jersey safe and strong. Earlier today, we took another important step in making New Jersey safer. I signed legislation this morning to fund the next phase of the Smart Gun Technology Development program at NJIT. This study will provide us with scientific analysis on their reliability and feasibility of implementing 'smart gun' technologies," stated DiFrancesco.

This new law builds on DiFrancesco's efforts to enact trigger lock legislation, "Three Strikes and You're In," and the "No Early Release" law, which was recently upheld by the State Supreme Court.

The 976,000-square-foot complex comprises two buildings -- the new Troop C Headquarters/Communications Center and the State Police Technology Center. It will house the State Police Forensic Sciences Bureau, which provides statewide forensic testing; the Records and Identification Section, which handles a wide range of service to the statewide law enforcement community, including criminal history records and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System; a state-of-the-art communications center; a new consolidated Headquarters for Troop C; an enclosed firearms range; and a heliport.

"This complex will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the State Police to continue its work in protecting the public's safety," the Attorney General said. "This facility will serve the entire state as a center for high technology law enforcement activity. From DNA and ballistics testing to compiling and reporting crime statistics to investigating high technology computer crime to providing sophisticated computerized dispatching, it is imperative that the State Police have the necessary facilities and high-technology tools to perform its duties for itself and for all of the state's county and local law enforcement agencies."

"This new facility will be designed to provide the State Police with the high-tech tools and communication services they need to continue to serve and protect. That's good for all New Jerseyans," remarked DiFrancesco.

The Communications Center will be a 15,000 square foot structure attached to the Troop C Headquarters and will house the state-of-the-art State Police Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system designed to provide instantaneous communication with troopers patrolling the road as well as detailed statistical analysis of motor vehicle stops.

In addition to the State Police, the State Department of Transportation (DOT) personnel and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) personnel will operate communications services from the center. This will help to coordinate the three agencies' services, especially under emergency conditions.

Col. Dunbar noted that elements of the complex will include a fueling station, emergency generator, transformer, heliport, and communications tower and an enclosed firearms range that will allow for year-round, all-weather weapons training by State Police without disturbing the neighboring community.

"The Governor and the Legislature deserve our thanks for their support of this project and for their efforts in bringing it to fruition," the Attorney General said. "The entire state will see the benefits of this project in the continued efficient and professional work of the New Jersey State Police."

Note: Attached is a fact sheet about the complex.

State Police Troop C Headquarters and Technology Complex at Hamilton

Fact Sheet

Project Totals

Buildings and additional site elements will comprise approximately 976,000 square feet
Total acreage is 38 acres
Total cost is $73.5 million, which includes professional fees (architectural, engineering and construction management), completion of main access roads and parking for the buildings, furniture, fixtures, and equipment including specialized laboratory and communications equipment, and construction costs
700 personnel will occupy Troop C Headquarters, Technology Complex and Communications Center
Communications Center will use 15,000 square feet
Technology Complex will comprise approximately 195,000 square feet
Additional site elements (parking, firearms range, fueling station, emergency generator, transformer, heliport, and communications tower) will use approximately 700,000 feet
Troop C Headquarters will use approximately 66,000 square feet
Estimated opening date: December 2002
State Police Units to Be Housed at Complex

Records and Identification Section

The Records and Identification Section provides technological services to the law enforcement community statewide. This section's responsibilities include development and implementation of state-of-the-art applications, electronic publishing of crime statistics, mapping to identify high crime areas, and maintaining the Automated Fingerprint Identification Unit.
State Police Forensic Sciences Bureau

The Forensic Sciences Bureau provides scientific analysis of specimens related to the investigation of criminal matters submitted by the law enforcement community. The Bureau's personnel provide expert testimony on the forensic analyses they conduct in all of the county and municipal courts of the state. Additionally, they provide instruction and training to law enforcement throughout the state on the handling, storing and securing of evidence.
Troop C Headquarters

State Police Troop C covers Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Monmouth Counties and the northern portions of Ocean and Burlington Counties. In addition to patrol duties, Troop C's Technical Emergency And Missions Specialists (T.E.A.M.S.) personnel conduct high risk criminal raids, assist with searches during reported bomb scares and train county and municipal police departments in riot control and S.W.A.T. tactics. Marine enforcement activities are handled by Troop C's Point Pleasant station.